"Okay." Leo didn't even hesitate and immediately sat down beside Amelie.
After seeing his behavior, she was rendered speechless, and she admitted that she had no idea how shameless he could be. Bria initially sat with her mother, but when her father joined them, Toby felt excluded. It was clear to anyone that the three were related, with Toby being the odd man out.
On the other hand, Toby was stunned by Leo's unexpected behavior, and he became more contemplative. "Let's eat." He didn't say much and then picked up his cutlery.
Suddenly, there was an eerie silence at the table, with everyone else in their own thoughts except for Bria.
While Toby had plenty to say to Amelie before Leo arrived, he suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
The silence was then broken by the sound of utensils striking the plates.
After finishing the meal, Leo picked up Bria. "Come on. As your daddy, I'll take you home." He emphasized the word "daddy."
"Okay." She wrapped her arms around her father's neck and waved at Toby. "Goodbye, Mr. Walsh."
"Goodbye, Bria." Toby shook his head helplessly. He had never seen Leo act like that before. Furthermore, Leo didn't even say goodbye; he took Bria and left.
"Let's make plans to meet again," Amelie said apologetically.
"It's okay." Toby smiled with a gentle expression.
Not far away, Bria called out, "Hurry up, Mommy!"
Amelie was afraid of losing her daughter and had to wave goodbye at him before she chased after them.
However, Toby did not move an inch as he narrowed his eyes and watched her figure fade from his line of sight. Suddenly, he heard a notification chime on his phone. So, he took out his phone and saw that the money he had paid for the meal had been refunded.
"What's going on?" he asked the waiter.
Naturally, the waiter had no idea what was happening, so he called his boss to inquire. After a while, he said, "Our boss said he is treating you to the meal."
"Your boss? Who's that?" Toby was taken aback.
The waiter shook his head, "It used to be Mr. Zane, but he sold the restaurant a moment ago. Since he treated you to the meal, you should know him."
"Sold the restaurant? A moment ago?" Toby smiled wryly at the statements. Of course, he knew that person. He had no words to describe Leo's move. He is willing to spend millions to buy a restaurant solely to give me a refund and prevent me from associating with Amelie! He must be crazy!
Soon, Amelie caught up with Leo and Bria. They had stopped in front of her car.
"Let me carry Bria." She walked over and offered her hand to him.
Nonetheless, he seemed to disregard the woman's hand and used his chin to press down on Bria's small head instead. "You drive."
When Amelie heard that, she was speechless. The man refused to give Bria back to her, and it was windy outside, so she didn't want her daughter to catch a cold. Ultimately, she had to use the car remote to unlock the door.
Afterward, Leo opened the car door and lifted Bria into the car while Amelie stood outside, silently watching him. He first put her daughter in the child safety seat, carefully fastened her seat belt, and then, like a well-behaved child, he pulled his own seat belt across his chest and clipped it in place. After completing everything, he put his hands on his knees like a good child, sitting upright like Bria.
"Mr. Alston, you must be super busy with everything going on," Amelie reminded him as she opened the car door.
Hearing that, he glanced at Bria with a faint expression. "Even if I'm busy, it doesn't mean I can't drop my daughter off first."
Nevertheless, Bria tried to remain neutral and kept her head down, but she couldn't help nodding in agreement.
After realizing that all he wanted to do was spend time with his daughter, Amelie got in the car without saying another word. Then, without making a sound, she began driving to the gated community, which was 20 minutes away from the ice-skating rink. However, he decided not to follow them and instead chose to stand at the entrance, where he observed them walk away in silence.
After Amelie and Bria left, Eugene called Leo. "Mr. Alston, the restaurant you wanted has been purchased, and Mr. Walsh's money has been refunded."
"Mhm," Leo replied nonchalantly. Earlier, he had sent the message to Eugene after they had finished their meal with Toby, and as was to be expected, Eugene's response was prompt.
"Mr. Alston." Eugene knew he should hang up the phone now, but he couldn't help but ask, "Are you trying to stop Mr. Walsh from seeing Miss Dillon by doing this?"
"I'm only informing him that no matter where my woman goes to eat, he won't be the one paying the bill." Leo's response stunned Eugene.
He thought Leo wouldn't reply or even scold him for asking such a stupid question. Leo might even cancel his bonus because of that question. Instead, Leo answered like a boss.
Mr. Alston, you're really astounding!
…
Later that night, Amelie walked out of a bar wearing a light green dress. She met with the bar's owner, a cultured middle-aged woman and a leader in the liquor industry. She wanted business advice on the liquor industry, so they talked for over two hours.
Nevertheless, she wouldn't have left so soon if she didn't have a child at home. As she walked to the door, a group of people approached her. Seeing that, she drew her bag closer and moved aside so they could pass.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Miss Dillon. Are you working as a bar hostess now?" A sharp male voice echoed, and the group stopped in their tracks.
She looked over and recognized several familiar faces. These people were friends of Leo's from childhood. The one who spoke was Ashton, who wore his usual flowery shirt and condescending expression. When he saw her, his eyes flickered with disdain and sarcasm. He always despised her, and even after Elyse died, he still wouldn't change his opinions about Amelie.
On the other hand, she didn't get angry but instead covered her mouth and laughed. "I always thought the term 'sharp-tongued' was used to describe women, but I guess it fits you perfectly, Mr. Lowe."
"You!" He only wanted to criticize her for venting his anger about Elyse's death, but he didn't expect to be humiliated by her instead. Then, he turned red with rage.
Amelie smiled and continued, "Mr. Lowe, did you see me working as a bar hostess with your own eyes, or do you have evidence? If not, then it's your assumption that all girls like working as bar hostesses because you're used to being a sugar daddy for such girls."
She used to disregard his remarks because of Ashton's friendship with Leo, but he had since become intolerable and expected special treatment at all times. Eventually, she had to show him the truth.
"Amelie, don't think I don't know that Elyse's death wasn't an accident. You planned her death, and I will avenge her now!" Ashton was so angry that he used Elyse's death as a pretext to attack Amelie, but she wasn't afraid of him and prepared to defend herself when he raised his fist.
"Ashton!" Someone stopped his fist before it landed.
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